Certifications and Your Human Resources Career

People considering a career in the field of Human Resources frequently ask whether they need a degree or certifications to get employment in the field of HR. The answer to this question is becoming more complex, but it is still a good question that deserves a thoughtful answer.

You will want to know that no kind of certification is required to work in the field of Human Resources. They are optional in most circumstances. Increasingly, however, Human Resources professionals are seeking certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). Recently, the HRCI added APHR: Associate Professional of HR for college students.

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has developed and is offering a competing certification program since 2014. SHRM has established two competency-based certifications, the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) for early- and mid-career professionals and the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) for senior-level practitioners.

There are additional certifications available through professional associations in such areas as Compensation and Benefits Management. The Association for Talent Development (ATD) offers certification as a Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP).

Why Might an HR Certification Be Needed

Keep in mind, going forward with your career, that you will be competing in the job market with people who have earned these certifications. They will be valued in the job market depending upon the company’s requirements, depending upon the type of job, and the competition you find in the job market in which you hope to successfully compete.

Especially in larger cities and in larger organizations, the certifications are regularly appearing in job postings as requirements for applicants. Small and mid-sized organizations are more slowly coming onboard, making the certifications nice to have but not required.

Many companies recognize these certifications as measuring transactional and administrative-type functions. Companies that are looking for more strategic, financial, and organization development skills in their HR staff don't advertise these credentials as essential for applicants. In fact, many post these certifications as optional or decide not to require them at all.

HR Employees with Certifications and Money

According to research by Payscale.com, certified HR professionals make substantially more money than their uncertified counterparts. For professionals who are starting out in their HR careers, the difference might not be as noticeable but as HR professionals move on in their careers, it is distinctly positive to have a certification.

Employees with the SPHR certification make 93 percent more money overall than those who have no certification. Those with the SPHR also make 49 percent more than those who stop with the PHR. For all HR employees, the median pay with a PHR is $59,100, with an SPHR is $87,900, and is $45,600 with no certification.

In larger cities nationally, the differential is just as striking. If you want to work somewhere like Dallas, New York, Boston, and Miami, for example, you will make substantially more money with either certification.

HR Employees with Certifications and Promotions

For example, the percentage of HR employees receiving a promotion increased substantially with certification. For professionals at the HR associate level, 63 percent of professionals with certification were promoted to HR administrator while only 34 percent of uncertified employees were promoted.

Promotions from HR administrator to HR generalist came in at 57 percent for certified employees and 27 percent for uncertified employees. As people progress in their HR careers, the instance of certification is increasingly found.

At the HR VP level, 42 percent of people holding these positions are certified. 39 percent of employees with the title, HR director and 30 percent of HR managers hold certification. As employees are promoted up through the management ranks, the SPHR is increasingly the desired certification with managers, directors, and VPs.

Decide on HR Certification by Considering Your Own Career Plans and Location

Obtaining either of the available certifications is an investment of money for preparation courses and books. It is also a time investment that requires hours and hours of study, attending class in person or online and studying as if you are back in college. Depending on where you live and want to work, the investment of time and money in an HR certification may be worth the investment.

Consider your plans for your HR career. If you want to work in a large company or in a big city, HR certifications are more necessary. If you plan to become an HR consultant, speak regularly at SHRM and other conferences, and impress clients, make certification a priority.

In smaller cities and in most small-to-mid-sized businesses, the HR certification is not currently necessary. Your boss, your managers, or your company owner may not even know HR certification exists. If they don't know that it exists, they can hardly value the HR certification enough to put it in a job posting for HR staff.

If you have this question or are worried about certifications, which certification now that several are available, talk to current HR people where you live and want to work to have a definitive answer about whether you need an HR certification. Whatever prevails in that community may answer the question about whether certifications are required for an HR career.